Pirates rob Japanese tanker in Malacca Strait

Apr. 23, 2014
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by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian marine police say pirates raided a Japanese tanker in the Malacca Strait and pilfered several million liters of diesel fuel it was carrying.

A marine police officer says the tanker was sailing from Singapore to Burma when it was boarded by pirates armed with pistols and machetes early Tuesday. He says most of the crew members were tied and locked in a room.

The officer, who declined to be named as he isn't authorized to speak to the media, says another tanker then emerged and an estimated 3 million liters, of the 5 million liters of diesel on board the Japanese ship, were transferred over a span of several hours.

He said Wednesday that three Indonesian crew members were missing along with their passports and belongings.

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